HARTLEPOOL United boss Danny Wilson today defended his decision to put fans favourite Tony Sweeney up for sale.
Wilson placed four players on the transfer list at Victoria Park yesterday, with Ian Moore, Ali Gibb, Lee Bullock and Sweeney all told they can find new clubs.






Sweeney was the most suprising of the lot, as the 24-year-old has looked a class act since coming through the youth system at the club and developing into a threatening central midfielder.

But Sweeney is out of contract at the end of the season and has so far refused to sign a new deal over concerns about his lack of first-team opportunities during this campaign. There are not thought to be any problems over money.

Wilson has preferred to use the combination of Willie Boland and Gary Liddle in the middle for much of the campaign, despite introducing new boy Alan Thompson for Boland against Southend.

Stockton-born Sweeney, who played for the reserves last night, does not want to leave the club but Wilson is not prepared to let the midfielder leave for nothing at the end of the season.

Wilson said he would love Sweeney to remain at the club if he signed the contract on the table.

He added that there was no truth in rumours that he was using Sweeney in a swap deal for Doncaster's former Pools loanee Jamie Coppinger.
Wilson said: "We have offered Tony Sweeney a new contract but obviously he has not agreed to that at this moment in time.

"We are hoping he will change his mind but he can exercise his right to leave for nothing at the end of the season.

"I think he is a very good footballer.

"Obviously he would like to play a bit more but he did himself no harm with a very good goal against Southend the other night.

"He is a terrific boy and we have got no quarrel with him, but we will be happy to listen to any offers."

if Wilson thinks he is a good footballer then he knows nowt. Sweeney is still living off a decentseason 3 or so years ago... There's loads of better players around....

I've always thought you were quick on the uptake MJ

You're right he did look good three seasons ago. But in the two seasons since he's had to sit on his arse while Wilson preffered Willie "Sideways" Bolland who has scored preciseley how many goals?
The kid needs a run in the side to get his sharpness back. It's madness to sell him.

You can't argue with the job Boland did last season though.

I've said it before MJ, don't let facts get in they way of a good old fashioned MillHouse rant....

Perhaps, but if you realise he was anonymous for 85 minutes of every 90 he players, he's actually featured about as much as Scott Allison!